Compact collapsible tennis table

0001This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/561,884 filed May 1, 2000, now abandoned, incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00021. Field of the Invention

0003The present invention relates to a collapsible tennis table which is relatively simple in construction and wherein, when folded, provides a compact unit for shipping and storage purposes.

00042. Description of the Prior Art

0005Collapsible or foldable tables, such as hobby and game tables, and tennis tables are well known. Many of these are designed with wheels or casters to facilitate movement and to occupy smaller storage areas. In order to provide for the collapsibility feature, the prior art tables include a number of complex parts which are relatively expensive. To accommodate smaller shipping sizes, the prior tables are typically unassembled. In this case, assembly can take a number of hours and requires at least two people. Further, a large number of parts are involved in partially assembled tables. In many cases, parts such as bolts and nuts are missing or lost and customers cannot assemble a table and generally become frustrated. A frustrated customer tends to call the store from which the table is purchased or the manufacturer themselves.

0006To assemble the table also requires a number of tools, some of which are not available in the average household. Some manufacturers ship fully assembled tables to customers requiring substantially large packaging and higher shipping costs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,085 discloses a collapsible table which is relatively large in size even after it is collapsed. Large assembled units are difficult to deliver to a number of dwellings with a recreation room in the basement or off an indirect hallway. At times, it is required to disassemble the table to take it to the place of intended use.

0007The opening and closing of the table requires a number of steps such as locking, unlocking, pushing together and pulling apart. These steps must be taken in a precise sequence. If the sequence is missed, it can cause serious injury to the user and damage property. Many of the prior art collapsible tables have a high profile and require a relatively tall person with some physical strength to open and close the table, making it difficult, it not impractical, for a young child or a chair-bound handicapped person to operate the table. There is also the inconvenience of attaching and disassembling the net and bracket on the tennis table. Although some tables leave the net and bracket attached to the table when folding and storing, the bracket extends outwardly enough to be hazardous. U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,957, issued Oct. 6, 1998 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a collapsible tennis table which overcomes the disadvantages noted hereinabove. However, the compact tennis table disclosed in that patent utilizes a connecting, or cross, member to join parallel frame members together. The joining process requires additional parts (i.e. the cross member itself, four bolts and ring nuts) increasing the cost thereof and additional user steps to assemble the tennis table, which may lessen the marketability of the product.

0008What is thus desired is to provide a collapsible table which is easy to assemble, is relatively inexpensive and which enables the young person and handicapped to have access to the table.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

0009The present invention provides a simplified multi-section collapsible tennis table which requires a minimum of parts and when unpackaged is easy to assemble (and disassemble) without tools. The present invention provides a tennis table that is collapsible into a relatively small profile, or configuration, partially assembled for shipment or storage purposes. The table can be fully assembled without tools relatively quickly. The table is capable of being opened and closed with a relatively small amount of force and has a low profiles both height and lengthwise, in both the disassembled and operational modes. The table is configured so that it is relatively easy to be operated by a young person and physically restricted persons.

0010In particular, in a first embodiment the collapsible tennis table of the present invention comprises two table sections, each table section comprising first and second table portions and tubular leg members secured to the bottom (non-player) surface of each table portion. One end of each leg member is positioned to receive one end of a connecting member, the connecting member functioning to align the two table portions and to support the center of the assembled table portions. A pair of clip members are fastened to the bottom surface of each table portion and the leg member of the tubular members are releasably held against the bottom surface of each table portion thereby. In order to assemble one table section of the collapsible table of the present invention, the ends of the connecting member are inserted into the open ends of each leg member and the two table portions pushed toward each other, joining the table portions together. Safety latches are positioned on the far ends of the bottom surface of each table portion to force the table portions together and to prevent the portions from separating. When it is desired to collapse the tennis table, the safety latches are opened and the two table portions of each section are pulled apart.

0011Caster devices are provided and have vertically extending tubular extensions which are adapted to be inserted into the end opening of one of the leg members formed on the bottom surface of each table section. Preferably the caster devices are separate sub-assemblies without a cross-member. When joined in this manner, an assembled tennis table is provided. The casters allow the assembled tennis table to be easily moved about. When it is desired to play table tennis, each table section is moved to the horizontal position and a tennis net is then secured to the table in the manner set forth in Pat. No. 5,816,957.

0012In a second embodiment, the collapsible table comprises two sections joined together in a manner identical to the joining of the two table portions as described in the first embodiment set forth hereinabove. In this embodiment, the tubular leg members are rotated to a substantially vertical direction to enable the assembled tennis table to stand upright on a surface, such as a floor.

0013In a third embodiment, a two section tennis table, each section having a pair of leg members releasably secured to the bottom surface of the table sections, is provided. The two sections are mounted to caster devices in the same manner described hereinabove with respect to the first embodiment. In one preferred feature, as illustrated, the caster devices include two assemblies without a cross-member.

0014The collapsible table of the present invention is thus easy to assemble, and can be stored easily because of its low profile. The table can be quickly and easily disassembled thus making it relatively simple to transport the disassembled table to a park or other venue and to then assemble the table for play as set forth hereinabove.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

0015For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>a</i>)–<b>1</b>(<i>f</i>) are perspective views of a first embodiment of the collapsible table of the present invention in disassembled and assembled states;

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2(</figref><i>a</i>)–<b>2</b>(<i>d</i>) are perspective views of a second embodiment of the present invention in disassembled and assembled states;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3(</figref><i>a</i>)–<b>3</b>(<i>c</i>) are perspective views of a third embodiment of the present invention in the disassembled and assembled states;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a perspective view of the connecting device utilized in the present invention; and latch utilized in the present invention.

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5(</figref><i>a</i>)–<b>5</b>(<i>b</i>) are perspective views of a latch assembly used with preferred embodiments of the present invention, such as the first embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>a</i>)–<b>1</b>(<i>f</i>).

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

0021The present invention provides a simplified multi-section collapsible tennis table which requires a minimum of parts and when unpackaged is easy to assemble (and disassemble) without tools.

0022Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>a</i>)–<b>1</b>(<i>f</i>), perspective views of the unassembled and then assembled section <b>100</b> of a collapsible tennis table <b>140</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1(</figref><i>f</i>)) of the first embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. Section <b>100</b> comprises table portions <b>12</b> and <b>14</b>, each table portion having bottom surfaces <b>16</b> and <b>18</b>, respectively. Secured to bottom surface <b>16</b> of table section <b>12</b> is a pair of tubular leg extensions <b>20</b> and <b>22</b>, extension <b>20</b> being rotatably secured to bottom surface <b>16</b> via clip <b>24</b>. Extension <b>22</b> is rotatably secured to bottom surface <b>16</b> of the table section <b>12</b> via clip <b>28</b>. Secured to bottom surface <b>18</b> of table section <b>14</b> is a pair of tubular leg extensions <b>32</b> and <b>34</b>, extension <b>32</b> rotatably secured to bottom surface <b>18</b> via clip <b>40</b>, extension <b>34</b> being rotatably secured to bottom surface <b>18</b> via clip <b>42</b>. Extensions <b>20</b>, <b>22</b>, <b>32</b> and <b>34</b> have end portions <b>50</b>, <b>52</b>, <b>54</b> and <b>56</b> as illustrated, end portion <b>50</b> being positioned adjacent bracket <b>60</b> secured to surface <b>16</b>, end portion <b>52</b> being positioned adjacent to bracket <b>62</b> secured to surface <b>16</b>, end portion <b>54</b> being positioned adjacent bracket <b>64</b> secured to surface <b>18</b> and end portion <b>56</b> being positioned adjacent bracket <b>66</b> secured to surface <b>18</b>.

0023A pair of connecting members <b>44</b> and <b>46</b> are positioned between table portions <b>12</b> and <b>14</b>, connecting member <b>44</b> positioned adjacent brackets <b>60</b> and <b>64</b> as illustrated, and connecting member <b>46</b> being positioned adjacent brackets <b>62</b> and <b>66</b> as illustrated. Connecting members <b>44</b> and <b>46</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) preferably comprise tubing <b>49</b> having two reduced end portions <b>80</b>, <b>82</b>, <b>84</b> and <b>86</b> sized to fit into the ends of the adjacent tubular leg extension members.

0024Extendable leg support braces <b>70</b>, <b>72</b>, <b>74</b> and <b>76</b> are connected to legs <b>20</b>, <b>22</b>, <b>32</b> and <b>34</b>. respectively, in a conventional manner and enable the legs to be rotated to their vertical positions.

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>a</i>)–(<i>e</i>) show the components of tennis table <b>140</b> as would be found in the packaging carton and prior to assembly. The tennis table section <b>100</b> is assembled as follows:

00261. The components are removed from the shipping carton and table portions <b>12</b> and <b>14</b> are preferably laid flat on a horizontal surface.

00272. End <b>80</b> of connecting member <b>44</b> is inserted into end <b>50</b> of extension <b>20</b> through bracket <b>60</b>; end <b>82</b> of connecting member <b>46</b> is inserted into end <b>52</b> of extension <b>22</b> through bracket <b>62</b>.

00283. Table section <b>14</b> is then moved adjacent ends <b>84</b> and <b>86</b> of connecting members <b>44</b> and <b>46</b>, respectively, in a manner such that those ends <b>84</b> and <b>86</b> are inserted into the adjacent openings <b>54</b> and <b>56</b> of extensions <b>32</b> and <b>34</b> via brackets <b>64</b> and <b>66</b>, respectively.

00294. Force is then applied to the edges of table sections <b>12</b> and <b>14</b> in the direction of the arrows <b>90</b> whereby connecting members <b>44</b> and <b>46</b> engage the holes (openings) formed in the ends of extension legs <b>20</b>, <b>22</b>, <b>32</b> and <b>34</b> thus forming an assembled tennis section <b>100</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1(</figref><i>b</i>).

00305. In preparation for joining table section <b>100</b> to the caster device <b>120</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>d</i>)–<b>1</b>(<i>f</i>), leg extensions <b>20</b> and <b>32</b> (now joined together) are rotated away from the bottom surfaces of table sections <b>12</b> and <b>14</b>, respectively, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1(</figref><i>c</i>) whereas leg extensions <b>22</b> and <b>34</b> are maintained in their folded positions.

0031In order to prevent the assembled tennis section from separating, a latch assembly <b>110</b>, shown in more detail in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5(</figref><i>a</i>) and <b>5</b>(<i>b</i>), and comprising post member <b>112</b> and latching member <b>114</b> is secured to the bottom surface <b>16</b> and <b>18</b> of table portions <b>12</b> and <b>14</b>, respectively, as illustrated. After the table portions <b>12</b> and <b>14</b> are joined to form section <b>100</b>, the latches are joined together in a conventional manner, forcing portions <b>12</b> and <b>14</b> securely together and preventing them from separating. Table section <b>102</b>, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>d</i>)–<b>1</b>(<i>f</i>) is formed in an identical manner as section <b>100</b>.

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>d</i>) and <b>1</b>(<i>e</i>) illustrate how the two assembled table sections <b>100</b> and <b>102</b> are joined to a device <b>120</b> having four (4) casters enabling the assembled table <b>140</b> to be moved to a desired position. Device or wheelbase <b>120</b> preferably includes two elongate caster base members <b>121</b> and <b>122</b>, each having casters, enabling the assembled table <b>140</b> to be moved to a desired position. Vertical tubular extensions <b>130</b> and <b>132</b> are mounted to elongate members <b>121</b> and <b>122</b>. Specifically, the end portions <b>53</b> and <b>55</b> of leg extensions <b>22</b> and <b>34</b>, respectively, receive vertical tubular extensions <b>130</b> and <b>132</b>, thus integrally joining the two table sections <b>100</b> and <b>102</b> together as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1(</figref><i>e</i>). In an alternate embodiment (not shown), end portions of <b>53</b> and <b>55</b> of leg members <b>22</b> and <b>34</b> are inserted into vertical tubular extensions <b>130</b> and <b>132</b>. The assembled tennis table <b>140</b> is then produced by moving the two table sections <b>100</b> and <b>102</b> to the horizontal position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1(</figref><i>f</i>), tennis table <b>140</b> being shown with a tennis net <b>142</b> secured thereto as illustrated. The assembly steps shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>d</i>)–<b>1</b>(<i>f</i>) are basically described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,957 (other than the use of a cross-member connecting the elongate base members), of which the necessary teachings for an understanding of the present invention are incorporated herein by reference. As a preferred feature of the present invention, the cross-member <b>38</b> described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,957 is unnecessary, reducing the materials needed and the assembly time of the table.

0033Latch assembly <b>110</b> is conventional.

0034The second embodiment of the present invention shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2(</figref><i>a</i>)–<b>2</b>(<i>d</i>) is different to that shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>a</i>)–<b>1</b>(<i>c</i>) to the extent that the extendible leg portions <b>20</b>, <b>22</b>, <b>32</b> and <b>34</b> of the table portions <b>150</b> and <b>152</b>, when joined together to form one section of tennis table <b>154</b> (the same reference numerals are used in each figure to identity identical components), are rotated to their full vertical positions so that tennis table <b>154</b> can be positioned directly on a substantially flat surface, such as a floor without the use of device <b>120</b>. The second table section (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2(</figref><i>d</i>)) is then positioned adjacent the first table section, are the sections are joined together in a conventional manner to complete the assembly of tennis table <b>154</b>.

0035A third embodiment of the present invention, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3(</figref><i>a</i>)–<b>3</b>(<i>c</i>) is different than that shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>a</i>)–<b>1</b>(<i>c</i>) to the extent that the table sections <b>160</b> and <b>162</b> are each fabricated as single pieces with the extendible leg portions secured on the bottom surface (only surface <b>164</b> illustrated). Each table section <b>160</b> and <b>162</b> is connected to the caster subassemblies <b>120</b> as described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1(</figref><i>d</i>) and <b>1</b>(<i>e</i>), and then unfolded to form tennis table <b>168</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3(</figref><i>c</i>). As previously discussed, the wheelbase does not require a cross-member between the caster subassemblies.

0036The present invention thus provides a compact, collapsible tennis table which is easy to assemble and disassemble without tools and wherein the disassembled tennis table can be easily stored and shipped.

0037While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teaching of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.